Healthy Edamame Sweet Potato Hash

February 2, 2014 by Christine Skari

“Pin me, I’m tasty!”- Hash

Most mornings, I’m lazy when it comes to breakfast. My go-to meal to start my day lately has been microwavable brown sugar banana oatmeal, which takes all of 30 seconds to throw together and another two minutes in the microwave. While it’s delicious, easy, and fast, there are days (especially the day after lifting weights) where I find myself hungry an hour later and know that I need more in the protein department of things.

Enter: Healthy Edamame Sweet Potato Hash!

Not only is it absolutely delicious and bursting with all the good things in life (read: bacon), it packs in a ton of different nutrients, flavors, textures, and, of course, protein!

Let’s break down the cast of characters:

Sweet Potato: the sweet potato brings in that mouthwatering sweet and salty combination, as well as the vitamins B6, C, and D, which help in preventing heart attacks, warding off the cold and flu, and maintaining energy levels, moods, and building healthy bones. Not only that, but they also contain fiber, which helps to keep you full and your poop happy! (Did I really just type that…)

(Source)

Edamame: not only does it have a vibrant coloring (I want my next Kitchenaid Mixer to come in the shade “edamame”), but it’s also rich in protein, vitamin C, manganese, and copper! Manganese helps your metabolism, regulates your blood sugar levels, and helps keep your nervous system alive and kickin’. Hooray, manganese! Copper plays an important role in managing energy, boosting your immune system, and strengthening your bones. You go, Glen Copper!

(Source)

Bacon: well, it’s delicious and makes everything better.

Make a big batch and have a tasty and filling breakfast for the rest of the week!

I’m linking up to WIAW to help share this tasty dish! Thanks, Jenn for hosting!

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel

January 29, 2014 by Christine Skari

There are some things I’ll just never be able to grasp. Like math. Or how the trashcan fills up so fast. Or where all my socks go. Or the difference between a sweet potato and a yam. Honestly, I think I’ve looked it up on Google at least 5 times in the past and 3 times today. That makes like a million different times and I still just don’t understand. Did I mention I can’t do math?

I do this for you guys.

To try to be political correct about potatoes (read: PCAP- it’s a thing) and not hurt you with my incorrect words on the internet machine. Some things, though, just don’t resonate with me and I can never, ever remember. And each time I go to the grocery store, I get even more mixed up. I used to think that sweet potatoes were orange (which I could have swore I read online), but then I went to my local Albertsons and they were listed as yams. There must be some sort of government conspiracy to try to confuse me. That must be where all of our tax dollars are going (!).

ANYWAYS. All I know for certain is that these taste good. Reeaaaal good. Like, pick one up with your hands and walk around your apartment eating them kinda good. They even come in their own little serving potato boat.

I mean, I don’t think you really could go wrong with the combination of flavors and ingredients that are going on in these ‘taters. You’ve got, of course, the sweet and vibrant sweet potatoes, creamy goat cheese, and a brown sugar pecan streusel that straddles the whole thing (did I really just use those two words together again?). Think a sweet potato casserole, but upped a notch by the flavor of the cheese and in their own adorable serving portion. It’s a sweet and salty combination made in heaven!

“Pin me, please!”- friendly potato infograph

With a name like Twice Baked Goat Cheese Sweet Potatoes with Pecan Streusel, how could you go wrong? Did I mention they’re also a relatively healthy and nutritious side dish?

What are you waiting for?! Stuff yo’ face!

Linking up with WIAW to help share these gems!

Garlic Ginger Bok Choy

January 7, 2014 by Christine Skari

A couple days ago, Kyle and I went to town with getting a few recipes ready for Apple of My Eye. Let me tell ya, cooking is exhausting. We were both more than ready to take a nap after and recharged by eating a half gallon of S’mores ice-cream while watching Netflix on the couch. We make a good team.

In total, we prepared and photographed four new recipes to share, one of which was this ridiculously easy and tasty Garlic Ginger Bok Choy recipe.

It doesn’t get much easier than this! Ready in literally 10 minutes from start to finish, it’s bursting with flavor, color, and nutrition to boot! It makes the perfect healthy side dish and pairs well with so many different main dishes. Kyle and I were definitely thankful that this recipe came together so quickly after all our other cooking endeavors!

Bok Choy is a powerhouse of vitamin A and C and one cup of the tasty vegetable contains more that 100% of your recommended vitamin A and 75% of your recommended vitamin C. Along with that, it has only 9 calories per shredded cup and is the perfect way to balance out a heavier meal, like the Brown Sugar Glazed Asian Beef I paired it with. (Recipe to come this week- it’s a long-time family favorite!)

If you’re ever in need of a speedy side dish to round out a meal, this is the perfect recipe for you!

Enjoy!

~Christine

Garlic Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

December 6, 2013 by Christine Skari

Fabulously delicious balsamic and garlic roasted brussel sprouts! They'll turn anyone into a vegetable lover!

You know how you have that one food growing up that you just can’t stand? For me, that was without a doubt, brussels sprouts. I couldn’t stand them and made a huge point to complain whenever I was forced to eat them (I know- such a brat!).

{some words of wisdom}

However, after trying them prepared with roasting technique instead of boiling them, I’ve been completely turned into a brussels sprout fanatic! They’re delicious and so easy to make!

These are really, really good and even Kyle exclaimed “Oh, WOW” after trying them. Honestly, I think that the ‘sprouts are officially now on my list of favorite vegetables and I’m definitely going to be preparing them this way in the future!

Not only are they mouthwatering, they’re also great for your body and have a mountain of nutritional value!

Here are some facts about their benefits:

Their high fiber content helps to reduce cholesterol.
They may have unique benefits in DNA protection by improving the stability of the DNA inside of our white blood cells.
They help fight and prevent cancer.
They contain a host of antioxidants.

{Source}

The garlic gives the recipe such wonderful flavor and the balsamic vinegar adds the most perfect amount of tang and zest! Trust me on this one, this recipe won’t disappoint!

If you feel like pinning this recipe, please pin the one below! Thank you!

Let me know how you like them!

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The BEST Skinny Dip Ever, the “I Don’t Want to Workout” Workout, & More!

September 9, 2013 by Christine Skari

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend- I know I certainly did! Let’s kick off the week with some Marvelous in My Monday fun and a great game day recipe.

Marvelous is a fantastic workout!

Yesterday was one of those days where I didn’t really feel like working out, but had no excuse not to move. I headed over to the gym and created this bad boy, which ended up being a great workout and left me feeling sweaty and accomplished.

It was easy to get myself on the treadmill since I could tell myself I was only running half a mile at a time, and I loved how quickly the time passed since I was switching up running and incline walking. It’s weird, but I’m more sore today than I usually am on leg day!

Marvelous is sharing my favorite dip recipe!

Okay, you guys… you NEED to try this dip. I’m known as the “dip girl” and anytime there’s any sort of potluck, I’m told that I need to bring it. It’s one of those foods that almost ruins the party since everyone just stands around the platter concentrating on eating instead of talking.

*if you’re going to pin this recipe, pin this one please

I got this recipe from my mom, who in turn received it from one of her teacher friends. The original involves more fatty ingredients (yum), but I was easily able to lighten it up so that it won’t weigh you down (literally) on game day or wherever you choose to bring it! Trust me, it’s addictively good and reasonably low calorie for the flavor punch it delivers!

For the record, my friend Kate and I demolished almost the entire thing ourselves yesterday while we watched our boyfriends work laboriously with woodcutters and automatic saws. The good life.

Marvelous is sweaty hikes with my favorite guy!

I love going on active dates with Kyle, especially if it involves hiking or playing tennis! We had a great 4.5 mile hike on Saturday with two of our favorite people to double date with. Mixing in fun cardio with the gym definitely keep me from becoming bored with my routine and loving fitness!

And lastly for today, marvelous are my Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles!

I whipped up another batch for Kyle since he likes to have them in the morning with his coffee, and they were gone in a day. I actually had a 5 minute long conversation with his Dad later about how unreal they are. They’re SO fudgy and you can’t taste the avocado at all. He was dumbfounded!

Whew, this post was a doozy to write/make. Time to catch up on what you guys have been up to!

xo Christine